Katakolon

Tuesday, 13.06.2023

We want to ride to Katakolon. It's about 17 km away and supposedly has hardly any incline and (most importantly) we won't just be riding along the main road. There are no dedicated bike paths here, the only city we've visited so far that had a designated lane for cyclists was Kalamata... So we unpack our bikes, only to realize that my battery wasn't charged even though it had been plugged in for two days. Apparently, something must have pressed against the plug during the trip, causing it to come loose. So we'll just wait for half an hour and charge it while we wait. When my bike computer shows 3 bars charged and a range of 52 km, my husband decides that's enough. The range decreases rapidly along the way, so I decide to turn off the computer every now and then and ride without assistance, because after a few kilometers it becomes clear to me that the information about the incline was wrong again and I'll need some "power" for the ride back. The route is very pleasant to ride, we cycle through small villages, past fields and olive groves, and reach Katakolon sweaty and exhausted. My onboard computer still shows a range of 25 km. Katakolon is the most important cruise port in the Peloponnese. Throughout the summer, huge cruise ships dock in the small harbor, but most passengers devote their attention to nearby Olympia. Katakolon is actually just two rows of houses with many cafes, tavernas, and souvenir shops. We stroll through the streets, have a drink, and make our way back. Once again, I have to conserve the battery along the way, often pedaling without assistance, but it's not possible on steeper climbs, and in the end, I arrive back at the campsite with a range of 5 km. I'm exhausted!

In the evening, we first go to the on-site tavern and then take a mandatory walk to the harbor. Once again, the snack bar is packed, and we decide to have dinner there tomorrow evening... I go to bed early, I'm tired...